Next Generation Aircraft Project Manager

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking a Project Manager with a strong technical background to support R&D for next‑generation UAS.

You will coordinate schedules, budgets, and cross‑functional teams to ensure on‑time, on‑cost delivery of complex programs. Responsibilities include developing project plans, tracking milestones, preparing proposals, and presenting results to management and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related discipline with 11+ years of project management experience.
• Strong understanding of PM processes, planning, scheduling, and budget management.
• Ability to initiate, plan and manage complex projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; customer-focused.
• Experience with cross-functional teams and RFP processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop project plans and manage resources to meet schedule, budget, and quality goals.
• Monitor project timelines and milestones from initiation to delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage workloads to deliver products and services.
• Provide technical guidance and supervise project management staff.
• Prepare progress reports, requirements docs, and management presentations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental laws and company policies.
• Lead or participate in RFP processes to generate new business.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Documentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Business Administration or related discipline

Tools

SAP Enterprise

Power BI

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Risk Management

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems. The Advanced Programs Group at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is looking for a Project Manager with a strong technical background, preferably in engineering, who will be supporting research and development for next generation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This position typically reports to a Program Manager or a Senior Program Manager. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating the operational aspects of one or more project(s) and serves as the liaison between project management and the project team, planning, and line management for sharing information and resolving basic problems. Continually reviews status of the project(s) and budgets to ensure project(s) are completed on time and within budget. Assesses project issues and develops solutions to meet production, quality, and customer-satisfaction goals and objectives. Develops mechanisms for monitoring project progress and for intervention and problem solving with project management, line management, and the customer.

Desirable characteristics

• Previous experience with low TRL projects, from concept inception through design, build, and verification testing.
• Previous experience as a development engineer (e.g. EE, ME, SW, etc.) or in the sciences (e.g. principal investigator, research, data science, etc.).
• Previous experience as a Project Engineer.
• Previous experience coordinating with Information Technology (IT) and/or Industrial Security to stand up classified projects, labs, or manage classified testing.
• Previous experience with SAP Enterprise or Manufacturing.
• Previous experience with Power BI.
• Previous experience preparing ROMs and proposals or responding to audits.
• Previous experience with Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Previous experience with Risk Management.
• Previous experience with vendor source selection.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with development of project plan(s) and manage resources to ensure project schedule, budget, quality and specification goals are attained.
• Manage and monitor project schedule, timelines, and milestones from initiation to delivery to meet delivery goals.
• Coordinate departmental and/or cross-functional teams to assign and prioritize tasks focused on delivering new or upgrading existing products and/or services.
• Assign and monitor work of project management staff, providing technical support and direction when necessary.
• Administer and execute policies, processes, and procedures that impact the assigned project.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and may present results to project management team and/or management.
• Collaborate across management and project team to expand services and potential business opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and other regulations.
• Identify and assess project issues and develop recommendations for solutions to meet productivity, quality and customer satisfaction goals and objectives.
• Act as a lead providing direction and guidance to employees working on assigned project.
• May participate in or lead segments of the request for proposal (RFP) process to generate new business.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Responsible for ensuring all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations are observed wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Responsible for ensuring work is accomplished in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Additional Functions: Other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors in Business Administration or related discipline and eleven or more years of progressively complex experience in the project administration field with at least five of those years in project management. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a thorough understanding of project management processes and procedures, planning and scheduling methods, and budget management as well as the ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet established milestones and budgets.
• Must possess the ability to initiate, plan and manage projects.
• The ability to identify issues, analyze and interpret data and develop solutions to a wide range of complex issues.
• Strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be Customer-focused, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 100,290 - 183,098